History of the Sanibel-Captiva Islander The Islander was originally founded as a quarterly newsletter in 1960 — nearly a half century ago. Volume 1, No. 1 still looked like one, but with a banner and some artwork of clouds, a pelican and a blowing palm tree, with the lighthouse perched on the shoreline in the background. It described itself in the banner as "Devoted to the interest of Sanibel and Captiva islands...finest shelling beaches in the Western Hemisphere."

Originally located at 2407 Periwinkle in the Kohlbrunner's old house, the Islander moved to the Sanibel Promenade across from the Post Office in March of 1996, when it joined forces with the Sanibel-Captiva Shopper's Guide and its production staff.

Today, the Islander turns its focus more toward the arts and entertainment as well as general local news. It provides in-depth reviews of local and regional theater, art shows, and other events of community interest. In the process, it provides profiles of visiting and resident artists and their work. Here, too, is a calendar of island events — one that offers greater details on some of the events and their participants.

The newspaper is distributed free to every household and post office box, and is also available at a number of news boxes around the islands.

History of the Island Reporter The Island Reporter was started in 1973 by residents who were especially interested i n the incorporation of Sanibel as a city. This movement was developed to give the island more independence, thus reducing control from the county.

In classic newspaper fashion, founders managed to print their first typo in a promotional flier before the first issue hit the streets. Consequently, the inaugural issue contained the first Letter from the Editor assuring readers that they were not going to be a paper of "goom" — as it was spelled in the flier — nor a paper of "gloom, covering the original concern.

After proving they were mere mortals, they continued to publish a weekly paper that has grown to become the island's newspaper of record and a trusted source of news, as well as a reliable place to express and exchange opinions on public matters through the Letters to the Editor column.

The paper assisted in the process of helping Sanibel become a city, and continues to provide thorough coverage of city government and island events today.

History of the Captiva Current Started in August of 1990, the first issue featured a front page profile of John Bates, the chief of the island's fire department. The classified advertising section of Volume 1, No. 1 included an ad for a home on a canal with three bedrooms and two baths, listed at $329,000. During the 16 years that have followed, the Captiva Current has provided local news on changes in the real estate market as well as business activities, the arts, and profiles of interesting island residents.

Captiva certainly has its own history, and the Current has continued to follow it in the making as different civic groups debate the advisability of incorporating as a city and as residents decide other key issues such as beach renourishment or putting telephone and utility lines underground following the devastation of Hurricane Charley in 2004.

Captiva is a small island and the residents care a great deal about their home. They count on the Captiva Current to keep them informed about local developments, whether they are on the island or living in another seasonal residence.